The Thirty-First Annual Conference of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists

Abstract

The Association of Muslim Social Scientists (AMSS) held its thirty first annual conference in Washington, DC, from October 25-27, 2002, with the collaboration of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIID. The conference was cosponsored by the School of International Service, American University, and supported by the university's Ibn Khaldun Chair ofislamic Studies, Dr. Akbar Ahmed. In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Louis Goodman, Dean of the School of International Service, American University, encouraged the use of academic forums to highlight social concerns of the larger world community. Introductory comments by AMSS President Dr. Louay Safi, stressed the need for scholars to examine the different agendas being introduced to address concepts dealing with the fears and concerns faced by the larger Muslim and non-Muslim communities in a post-9/11 world. The Conference Chair, Dr. Amira Sonbol, Georgetown University, OC, hoped that this con­ference would promote debate on how Islam has been studied to date, and encourage Muslims to revisit moments in history to understand their com­munity's position in world history. The conference theme, "The Muslim World after September 11: Agenda for Change," echoed in the presentations made by over 40 scholars in eight consecutive panels, one roundtable discussion, a plenary session, and a keynote address at the annual banquet. Students, academicians, activists, and intellectuals engaged in a lively debate with the panelists after their presentations. Media coverage was provided by the Washington Post and the Washington Times ...